March 23, 2006

Coming Soon: The Abolition of Parliament Bill

Searching Warwick Blogs for the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill brings up two hits. Not very surprising, because for some reason this thing has had a very low profile in the media. A more paranoid writer might suggest this is by design, since the title of the bill itself is carefully crafted so that a casual reader would instantly zone out and ignore it.

Which is a shame, because this bill is

FUCKING SCARY

(wonder if this is going to get past the censors….)

Ok. Let me explain.

The Details

What this bill does is allow, in the name of cutting red tape, any member of the cabinet to pass a change in primary legislation by a single vote. That's instead of the ages and ages of debating and discussion and back-and-forth that goes on currently.

What does this mean? It means that your MPs will have very little time to read and understand the content of what they are deciding on. And so, if they were to squeeze something dangerous into an innocent looking bill, there is a good chance of getting it through. Who would oppose the 'Bill to provide sick children with cuddly toys', which just happens to conceal a payload of ID cards?

But this is scratching the surface. Most commentators seem to have a failure of imagination here. Maybe they are scared of contemplating the true horror of what's going on. The opposition have been trying to curtail the power of this bill, by asking the government to make exemptions – rules that cannot be changed without the proper, traditional debate. The government has rejected all of these. What rules do the government want to reserve the right to change without debate? Here's a list: (Highlights are boldened)

And what's more, also open for amendment is this bill itself – it would be possible to extend this act to a true Enabling Act, removing Parliament from the process altogether. It would just take our MPs to slip up just once…. And BAM, democracy is abolished.

Let's consider safeguards… What safeguards? All it requires is for the minister drafting the proposal to have adequately considered the dangers. The minister sneaking in the dangerous regulation is given the duty of policing himself. What the government is doing here is asking for what is essentially a blank check, and saying, 'Trust us, we won't do anything bad with it.'

But why, we must ask. Why do you want these powers? Why do you want to have a loaded pistol pointed at our heads, as you claim to continue to protect and serve us?

How not to die

This bill is very close to being passed. The commons have done their first and second sittings already, and it needs only a 1 hour third reading before it's on to the Lords. And if it gets blocked there, then there's the Parliament act to force it through.

7 comments by 1 or more people

AAAAAAAAAAARGH!
YEAH I KNOW THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE EVERYONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING!

24 Mar 2006, 06:17

On the plus side, maybe some conscientious MP will sneak through a bill to nulify this one, using the bill itself. I'd love the irony of that.

No, I don't think it's too likely either.

24 Mar 2006, 08:29

Also, maybe the Student Union should be doing something about this.

The Union can only actually use it's resources to do campaign on things which will effect students as students (although it can, within certain restrictions, use it's resources to educate it's members as to the existance of an issue). Whilst this bill could effect anyone in any way, I think this means it's primary effect is on students as members of the public rather than as students.

Aside from that, the Union can't actually take a decision on whether to support a campaign (unless the issue is an emergency which, given how long I've known about it, this isn't), even in principle, without a referendum, General Meeting or Union Council meeting and the next meeting of Union Council isn't until week three next term. If the issue hasn't been resolved by then (I've no idea of the parliamentary timetable) and you want the Union to take a stance then I'm sure there are plenty of people on Council (including me) who would be willing to help you put this to Council.

24 Mar 2006, 17:17

Oh look at me I'm Zhou Fang, I'm politically aware, love me.

23 Apr 2006, 04:58

WHERE HAVE ALL THE GIRLS GONE?

23 Apr 2006, 17:43

I don't know why I wrote that, it was 4:58am and I probably thought it was the most hilarious thing ever. Sorry!

23 Apr 2006, 18:50

francis lane

The Burma campaign uk is holding an event at the Blackheath Halls in aid of its work in that country on the 2-12-06.Doors open 18:30. performance 19:30.
An evening of music with Julian Lloyd-Webber and Pam Chowan.
Tickets :£25,£19(concessions)&£50 VIPs
Box Office 020 8463 0100
Blackheath Halls
23 Lee Rd.
Lon. S.E.3

28 Nov 2006, 20:24

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